Text Evidence
Q: What evidence shows the lighthouse is supposed to be abandoned?
A: The town says it’s abandoned / it lost power years ago
Q: Why does Maren go to the lighthouse?
A: She’s curious / wants answers
Q: How does Maren feel at the beginning?
A: Curious
Q: What is a theme?
A: A message or lesson
Q: Why does the author use short sentences at the end?
A: To build suspense
Q: What detail shows Maren doesn’t believe Eli?
A: She keeps investigating / asks questions
Q: What can you infer about Eli?
A: He doesn’t take it seriously
Q: How does she feel when she reaches the lighthouse?
A: Nervous/excited
Q: One possible theme of the story?
A: Curiosity can lead to danger
Q: What effect does dialogue have?
A: Shows character differences
Q: Find evidence that builds suspense.
A: Footsteps / flickering light / staircase groaning
Q: Why doesn’t Maren tell Eli about the key?
A: She feels it’s personal or important
Q: What shows she is nervous?
A: Heart pounding / shaking flashlight
Q: What detail supports that theme?
A: She goes alone and finds something scary
Q: Why describe the setting in detail?
A: To create mood
Q: What detail shows the key is important?
A: She keeps it secret / says it feels important
Q: What can you infer about the footsteps?
A: Someone or something else is there
Q: Why does she say “not from fear”?
A: She’s trying to convince herself
Q: Another possible theme?
A: Not everything has a logical explanation
Q: What is the mood of the story?
A: Mysterious/suspenseful
Q: What evidence suggests something supernatural?
A: Lantern lights without wires or batteries
Q: What can you infer about the ending?
A: She is not alone / something mysterious is happening
Q: How do her feelings change by the end?
A: From curious → scared/uncertain
Q: Why doesn’t the author fully explain the ending?
A: To create mystery / make readers think
Q: Why include sensory details (smell, sound)?
A: To make it vivid and immersive